Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Perfect Replication
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Rishir showed signs of leaving the inner world.
The moment that happened, Klana felt a stifling pressure squeezing her solar plexus.
A displeasing yet tender sensation she'd never felt before in her life.
It was certain.
That bastard had exercised control over her again.
So, the fact that she was clinging to him and speaking so subserviently had nothing to do with her own will.
There was no reason to hesitate or feel ashamed.
"Wait. I'll give you what you want."
"..."
"You vile bastard. Wasn't it enough to make me do this? Those eyes of yours... How much more humiliation do you want to inflict on me?"
How much humiliation did he want to inflict on her?
Rishir took a moment for some self-reflection.
'...That's not even my interest?'
Upon checking, his domination wasn't working on her at all.
So what the hell was this?
Her current attitude.
Rishir decided not to think too deeply about it.
Good things were good, right?
There was no reason to pick a fight while she was being cooperative.
For now, playing along with her worldview(?) and getting what he wanted seemed best.
Having finished his thinking, Rishir formed a sleazy smile.
This was probably the image of him she imagined (hoped for).
"How much humiliation you'll endure... Well, doesn't that depend on your behavior?"
"Kuhk-"
Klana ground her teeth in humiliation.
But her eyes, conversely, held a faint glimmer.
Rishir's behavior had granted her an excuse.
Yeah. I knew it.
Look at that bastard's attitude.
My actions right now have absolutely nothing to do with my will.
So, this is unavoidable.
Feeling the last remnants of shame and hesitation vanish, Klana took proactive action.
She repeated the motion she'd shown Rishir before.
Assuming he hadn't grasped the subtleties within it.
"Right. With your pathetic insight, you wouldn't see anything. But you'd better not demand more from me. Teaching others isn't my specialty, and someone who can't even understand this simple motion won't gain anything from my sword."
"I'll keep that in mind. Will you show me the next motion?"
"Ha, how did I end up-"
Klana sighed and repeated the motion.
"No, that's enough of that. The next one."
"?"
Wasn't asking for the next motion the same as asking to see it again?
Klana felt a brief bewilderment.
"You're hopeless. Already trying to cut corners. What do you think you'll gain by seeing the second when you haven't grasped the first?"
She sneered with contempt.
And that was it.
She didn't feel particularly disappointed.
Disappointment stemmed from expectations, after all.
Klana had never thought Rishir could master her swordsmanship in the first place.
In her mind, her role was simply to indulge this arrogant punk's bravado until he realized his place.
"Oh, while we're on the topic, could you take a look at my stance? I did my best with it."
Klana snorted derisively and nodded indifferently toward him with her chin.
At that, Rishir assumed the stance.
At a glance, it was a plain overhead slash.
But that unique breathing.
The stillness that blurred even the boundary between inhale and exhale was perfectly captured in the motion.
The swinging sword, the brushing hem of his clothes, the advancing foot, the encompassing breath.
None of it produced even the faintest noise.
It was a silence akin to a shadow moving under moonlight.
Prey only realized the wounds slashed across their bodies after the moonlight revealed them.
The movements of the Murder Ghost Blue Lotus had been perfectly recreated.
"How's that?"
"...Again."
Klana murmured unwittingly.
Once. Twice.
That murmur repeated endlessly.
How long had they been repeating the same motion?
Rishir voiced his dissatisfaction toward Klana, who kept repeating "again" in a soulless tone.
"Can't you just tell me verbally what's wrong?"
"..."
Klana couldn't grant Rishir's request.
Because she had zero interest in playing the kind mentor?
No.
It was because there was nothing wrong with Rishir's motion.
That was the reason for the repeated "again."
Klana couldn't easily accept that Rishir had flawlessly executed her motion.
Of course, it wasn't perfect.
But that was merely a matter of proficiency.
He had accurately grasped the subtleties and meaning within the motion and made them his own.
All in a single observation and a few days' time.
"...!"
In that instant.
Klana's breath caught.
Her sword unfolding in another's hands.
Her sword being understood by someone else.
Klana imagined it.
The moment Rishir slashed someone with that sword.
The "Blue Lotus" in his grasp at that moment.
Thump!
Her heart pounded fiercely.
It wasn't the pleasure of slaughter, nor the artificial bliss he induced.
A new kind of emotion, one she'd never felt anywhere before, filled her body to the brim.
"Damn it... My sword in the hands of a punk like you..."
Klana feigned displeasure and demonstrated the next motion.
A forward stepping technique connecting from the overhead slash.
"..."
Rishir watched it intently, then nodded.
Then, to truly internalize it, he promptly exited the inner world without delay.
"Ah...!"
Klana unwittingly let out a sigh, staring in the direction Rishir had been standing.
The familiar bliss crashed over her then.
"Ahk..."
She curled up on the floor, calming her state.
"Damn it, damn it...!"
Her mouth spat curses repeatedly, but she had no idea what expression she wore.
By the time the torrent of emotion subsided.
Only one thought remained in Klana's mind.
'What's happening to me...?'
The pleasure of slaughter.
The pleasure of domination.
They meant nothing to her now.
She simply wondered what Rishir looked like as he swung the sword.
It was the moment the Murder Ghost came to understand human emotions.
<Too many unnecessary habits.>
"Hm?"
It was a voice reaching Rishir as he practiced new motions before the garden mirror.
Rishir looked at the Blue Lotus in his hand.
Klana, who had refused to emerge from the inner world no matter how much he called, had naturally possessed the sword.
"What's with the sudden change of heart?"
<Too many unnecessary habits.>
"What's with the sudden change of heart?"
<Shut up.>
Klana steadfastly said what she wanted to, ignoring Rishir's perfectly reasonable question.
<Why do you keep letting your mana swirl on the surface? Planning a sudden magic ambush or something?>
To Klana, Rishir's mana control felt utterly alien for a swordsman.
To the point where it seemed fine to call him a mage swinging a sword.
It was a jab pointing that out.
"Oh, that's a good idea."
"?"
<Are you counter-mocking me now that I mocked you?>
"Pardon? Was that mockery?"
"?"
<No way, were you seriously saying that nonsense?>
"No... That nonsense, didn't you bring it up first? Besides, I think it's a good idea."
<Enough. Distract with the sword, then ambush with magic. Who do you think you are, some mage?>
"?"
Rishir looked down at the Blue Lotus.
An awkward silence flowed briefly.
"For now... I am trying to practice magic..."
<Good lord. All those trash habits ingrained in you were because of that.>
-Zuini!
It was then that a third party's voice came from inside the room.
The gray crystal orb on the desk, Dangaleon, who had been spectating Rishir's training while exclaiming things like "What a valiant strike!" and "No demon can withstand Zuini's footwork!"
-Magic is a superior power to swordsmanship! Do not take to heart the ravings of this worm who couldn't even protect its own flesh!
-?
"?"
The gazes of the two beings that couldn't protect their own flesh clashed in midair.
Rishir watched the inanimate objects' staring contest with great interest.
Sensing his gaze, Dangaleon cried out.
-Zuini! Surely you're not treating the blazing black flame Dangaleon as mere scrap metal!!!
"Well... If we classify them, don't they fall into the same category? Both are egos contained within inorganic matter."
-...!
Dangaleon was shocked.
Could a seal stone containing a mighty demon be belittled more than this?
<Hey. Aren't I your master?>
"Honestly, I see you more as a very useful sword than a master."
<...!>
Klana was shocked.
She had no interest in being treated as a master, but still, this was a bit-
For a moment, she imagined a massacre by the one who had protected her flesh.
-Anyway, Zuini! There's no need for Zuini to abandon your resolve toward magic just to learn something like swordsmanship! I boldly propose: walk the path of magic with me, Dangaleon! Supreme realms that scrap heap could never show await us!
"I'm already walking it. The path of magic."
-?
A moment later.
Klana composed her bewilderment and spoke.
<At least that's a relief. Finding your aptitude before getting too deep into magic.>
"Is it?"
<Yeah. If you'd reached the 4th Circle, your body's constitution would have solidified completely, making it impossible to ever accept swordsmanship.>
"?"
"Actually, I reached the 6th Circle not long ago."
-?
"Here-"
Rishir's breathing shifted.
From the blue breathing that operated mana through the body to normal breathing.
Then, a sandstorm rose from his fingertips.
Magic containing his unique energy purely.
Clear proof he'd reached the 6th Circle realm.
Finally, Klana spat in exasperation.
<What an idiot.>
"Pardon?"
<The fool who taught a mage like you the blue breathing. Did they even teach you properly? At your level, learning blue breathing risks mana rampage.>
"Oh, really? I self-taught it, so I didn't know."
<...Why?>
"Pardon?"
The incarnation of absurdity.
The Murder Ghost, who always provoked questions in others, voiced pure curiosity.
<Combining sword and magic is the pinnacle of inefficiency. You must feel it too.>
"Not really-"
<Shut up and listen. Why are you trying to learn the sword now?>
Deep down, the Murder Ghost coveted him as a disciple.
Her words carried earnest intent to peer into his true nature.
"Ah, well- My mana was growing too fast, and my body couldn't keep up. So, yeah. To survive, I guess."
<...>
-...
The Murder Ghost and the demon had seen countless swordsmen.
It was the first.
Someone learning swordsmanship to endure their mana growth surging too rapidly.
"Well then- Shall we get back to the main topic?"
<...What?>
"Weren't you about to correct my bad habits earlier? Let's continue that."
<...Do whatever you want.>
"Pardon?"
-I agree, Zuini.
The Murder Ghost and the demon looked at the human before them like some mutant.
Councilor Gadum had been having an uncomfortable time lately.
The "Owner" of the northern back alleys.
The "Saint" of the eastern back alleys.
These figures who appeared out of nowhere and rapidly expanded their influence were diminishing the weight of Gadum's name in Bondalles' underworld day by day.
Councilor Gadum's power stemmed from vast wealth.
And that vast wealth came from illicit underworld businesses.
Gadum was being cornered.
If his territory shrank further here, his position as councilor would become precarious.
'Lan...'
He recalled his recent candid talk with Councilor Lan.
She touted her merit in expelling the cultists hiding in Bondalles to claim her rights.
Councilor Lan's demand was this:
-Withdraw all your guards from my district completely. From now on, the Pelos Family will handle security in my area.
If he complied with Lan's demand, it would obviously hinder the "business" he was secretly running in her district's back alleys.
Absolutely not.
Thus, Gadum took action.
And now faced the three big shots.
According to info from his insiders, they were mercenaries Lan had hired from outside to expel the cultists.
Bribing them would let him steal Lan's credit and dismiss her rightful demands.
"You think you can buy us with money?"
At Gadum's approach, Balrod, disciple of the Red Tower Lord, showed clear irritation.
Gadum didn't panic.
He was an expert in this area.
Gadum presented the conditions he'd prepared.
Ties with Councilor Lan.
Honor.
Conditions that would make them discard such shallow values without a second thought.
"..."
Clear signs of dilemma appeared on their faces upon hearing the conditions.
It couldn't be helped.
Gadum's offer wasn't limited to them personally but brought massive benefits to their entire groups.
As representatives of their groups, they couldn't easily refuse-
And it was a condition Lan, who had sacrificed much to uphold honor, could never offer.
"I swear on the name of Gadum that if this matter leaks in the wrong way and tarnishes your honor, it won't happen."
Countless nobles and citizens of Bondalles were in Gadum's pocket.
Lan's people were no exception.
Gadum had already hinted that many of Lan's people had been bought by him.
Then, Demon Hunter Maldad said,
"Don't tell me you've already wrapped up talks with him too?"
"Who do you mean?"
"The Gray Mage Tower's honor mage."
"Ah."
Gadum swallowed a laugh.
A common misconception by outsiders.
The Gray Mage Tower.
Unlike other towers rooted in great noble houses with absolute influence, they were different.
Their influence in Bondalles was negligible.
Not even a mere honor mage, let alone a master, would dare interfere in a councilor's affairs.
Gadum smugly smiled, boasting his influence.
His fatty cheeks jiggled.
"If any issues arise, I'll 'handle' him myself, so no need to worry on that front."
"...'Handle'?"
What did they imagine?
The three big shots grimaced in unison.
Soon, they exchanged glances and said,
"Let's pretend this conversation never happened."
"...?"